Épisodes

  • Historic Marker Monday: The Forgotten Key West Salt Ponds

    Historic Marker Monday: The Forgotten Key West Salt Ponds
    Apr 18 2026
    Historic Marker Monday: The Forgotten Key West Salt Ponds Host Michele O'Connor introduces the Fun in Key West podcast and, for Historic Marker Monday, explores Key West's largely forgotten 1800s salt-pond industry, when salt was essential for preserving food and enabling trade before refrigeration. Wealthy businessman and shipwreck-auctioneer Richard Fitzpatrick bought about 100 acres of southeast-end wetlands in 1830, built coral-walled drying pans with floodgates, and produced salt through tidal seawater and sun-driven evaporation, yielding typically 15,000–25,000 bushels annually and once 75,000. The venture was highly weather-dependent; Fitzpatrick left after about four years, though others continued until the Civil War disrupted production, which later resumed. A devastating 1876 hurricane washed away 15,000 bushels and effectively ended the industry. The historic marker stands at 2100 Flagler Avenue by Key West High School. 00:00 Welcome to Fun in Key West 01:26 Key West's Forgotten Gold 03:28 Historic Marker Monday Setup 04:45 Why Salt Mattered 06:27 Fitzpatrick Builds Salt Ponds 07:42 How Salt Was Made 09:42 Profit and Weather Risks 13:17 Civil War and Comeback 14:20 Hurricane Ends the Industry 15:08 Marker Location Today 16:07 Why This History Matters 17:29 Where to Learn More 18:47 Final Toast and Subscribe
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    20 min
  • Why Are There So Many Roosters in Key West? The Wild, Historic Story

    Why Are There So Many Roosters in Key West? The Wild, Historic Story
    Apr 12 2026
    Why Are There So Many Roosters in Key West? The Wild, Historic Story Host Michele O'Connor introduces the Fun in Key West podcast as an insider guide to where to eat, drink, stay, and what to do in Key West, with updates on festivals and guests such as locals and business owners. This episode answers a frequent visitor question: why roosters and chickens roam Key West. She explains they're descended from birds kept by early settlers for eggs and meat, later added by Cuban immigrants, and tied in part to cockfighting; when cockfighting was outlawed and backyard chickens were less needed, many birds were released, creating today's feral population. The warm climate, few predators, and easy access to food help them thrive, though feeding is discouraged and can bring fines. She describes a local love-hate relationship and notes the city and the Key West Wildlife Center have humanely managed the issue by rescuing, trapping, and relocating over 15,000 birds to mainland free-range properties. 00:00 Welcome to Key West 01:28 Rooster Question Setup 01:56 Podcast Theme Song 02:45 Why So Many Roosters 04:39 Roosters Everywhere 06:22 Origins and History 08:12 Why They Thrive 09:18 Love Hate Reality 10:44 City Management Efforts 12:58 Wildlife Center Relocation 14:28 Why Locals Still Love Them 15:48 Myths vs Facts 17:33 Wrap Up and Subscribe 18:26 Final Outro www.funinkeywest.com
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    19 min
  • Cheapest Places to Live in the Florida Keys (and What "Cheap" Really Means)

    Cheapest Places to Live in the Florida Keys (and What "Cheap" Really Means)
    Apr 12 2026
    Cheapest Places to Live in the Florida Keys (and What "Cheap" Really Means) Host Michele O'Connor answers questions about what it really takes to live in the Florida Keys, emphasizing that "cheap" is relative and the Keys are expensive compared to national averages. She outlines factors beyond listing price—rent, property taxes, insurance (including flood), maintenance from salt air, storm prep, commute, home condition, and lifestyle goals—then compares areas often discussed for budget-conscious moves: Big Pine Key for a quieter, nature-focused lower-Keys lifestyle with fewer conveniences; Tavernier as an overlooked upper-Keys option with easier mainland access; Marathon as a centrally located middle-Keys choice with wide price variation by neighborhood and property type; Key Largo as convenient but usually pricier; Key West as iconic but typically among the most expensive; and Stock Island as a potentially more realistic alternative near Key West. She encourages realistic expectations, research, and choosing best value and fit. 00:00 Welcome to Fun in Key West 01:26 Episode Topic Living in the Keys 03:53 Setting Realistic Cost Expectations 08:10 What Affordable Really Means 10:39 Big Pine Key Nature and Value 12:32 Tavernier Upper Keys Option 14:26 Key Largo Convenience Costs More 16:02 Marathon Middle Keys Balance 18:10 Key West and Stock Island Alternatives 22:31 Hidden Costs and Smart Planning 24:23 Quick Shortlist and Takeaways 26:58 Wrap Up Resources and Goodbye 28:33 Final Encouragement and Call to Action www.funinkeywest.com
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    29 min
  • Key West in April: Conch Republic Days, Markets, Music & Travel Tips

    Key West in April: Conch Republic Days, Markets, Music & Travel Tips
    Apr 6 2026
    Key West in April: Conch Republic Days, Markets, Music & Travel Tips Host Michele O'Connor introduces the Wandering Wednesday episode focused on visiting Key West in April, highlighting ideal weather, outdoor activities, and a packed events calendar. She points listeners to funinkeywest.com for the event calendar and notes schedules can change. Major April highlights include Conch Republic Independence Days with opening ceremonies, a street fair, the Cow Key 0K, a Mallory Square sea battle with stale Cuban bread, parades, and parties; plus art walks (Walk on White), farmers markets, Comedy Key West shows, jazz events, Glow Hour at the Studios rooftop, and Howard Livingston at the Tennessee Williams Theater. She advises booking Dry Tortugas (Yankee Freedom) well in advance, planning around the April 11 Seven Mile Bridge Run road closure, and booking lodging early for big events like Conch Republic Days and the late April/early May Songwriters Festival, with packing and transportation tips for crowds and parking. 00:00 Welcome to Fun in Key West 01:26 April Trip Preview 02:41 Wandering Wednesday Kickoff 04:09 Why April Works 07:15 Dry Tortugas Planning 08:22 April Weather Snapshot 09:16 Conch Republic Days 11:50 More April Events 14:17 Travel Styles and Tips 16:30 Packing and Getting Around 18:06 Wrap Up and Community www.funinkeywest.com
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    21 min
  • Key West Trip Recap: Coconut Beach Resort, Hidden Gem Cocktail & Cooking Classes, and Local Favorites

    Key West Trip Recap: Coconut Beach Resort, Hidden Gem Cocktail & Cooking Classes, and Local Favorites
    Apr 6 2026
    Key West Trip Recap: Coconut Beach Resort, Hidden Gem Cocktail & Cooking Classes, and Local Favorites Host Michele O'Connor and her husband Kevin from Out A Here Travel recap a quick Key West trip, sharing planning tips like booking direct flights into the new Key West airport and using Lyft over taxis. They review staying at the quiet, no-frills Coconut Beach Resort (a timeshare where third-party bookings may require switching rooms) and highlight meals and drinks at Flaming Buoy Filet Company, Conch Republic, Miso Happy, Sloppy Joe's, Green Parrot, Bali Bar, and the Tipsy Rooster. Key stops include Mallory Square sunset viewing tips amid seawall repairs, Key West Candle & Bath Company, Island Bookstore's Fun in Key West book club display, the San Carlos Institute, the Shipwreck Museum tower, and Doing Work Coffee. They praise the Key West Cooking Show's cocktail class and lunch cooking show featuring Cuban dishes and Italian-meringue key lime pie, plus note seasonal orchids, a temporary Southernmost Buoy replica, and rising airfare costs. 00:00 Welcome to Fun in Key West 01:26 Trip Recap Kickoff 03:18 Flights and New Airport 05:07 Coconut Beach Resort Stay 09:38 Flaming Buoy Supper Club 12:13 Mallory Square Sunset Tips 15:01 Local Shops and Book Club 17:47 Conch Republic Fish Sandwich 18:58 Cocktail Class Hidden Gem 25:20 Miso Happy Outdoor Seating 26:09 San Carlos Cuban History 27:22 Cooking Show and Key Lime Pie 32:56 Rotating Menu Tips 33:18 Shipwreck Museum Tower 34:06 Wrecking History Gold 35:36 Cooking Show Swag 37:01 Wrecker Towers Explained 38:23 Favorite Bars Debate 42:03 Doing Work Coffee Stop 45:06 Duval Street Changes 46:05 Trip Recap Resources 47:37 Orchid Season Photos 52:20 Airport Rides Savings 54:03 Travel Prices Advice 56:52 Final Thanks Farewell www.outaheretravel.com www.funinkeywest.com
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    1 h et 2 min
  • Preserving Key West's Soul: Nick Green on the Old Island Restoration Foundation, the Oldest House, and Iconic Home Tours

    Preserving Key West's Soul: Nick Green on the Old Island Restoration Foundation, the Oldest House, and Iconic Home Tours
    Apr 6 2026
    Preserving Key West's Soul: Nick Green on the Old Island Restoration Foundation, the Oldest House, and Iconic Home Tours Host Michele O'Connor welcomes listeners to the Fun in Key West podcast and interviews Nick Green, executive director of the Old Island Restoration Foundation (OIRF), a nonprofit founded in 1960 to preserve Key West's historic wooden district, architecture, culture, and history. Nick shares his background in international development and philanthropy, how he and his wife fell in love with Key West, and what drew him to preservation work, including an effort to pursue UNESCO Creative City recognition. He explains OIRF's role operating the Oldest House Museum & Gardens since 1974, its community programs for children, and events such as the Key West Home Tour and conch shell blowing contest rooted in the island's wrecking industry history. The episode also covers planned upgrades, accessibility, staffing and volunteers, funding through admissions, memberships, donations, and venue rentals, and Nick's favorite local spots. 00:00 Welcome to Fun in Key West 01:28 Meet Nick Green 04:21 Nick's Global Background 06:51 Falling for Key West History 09:15 UNESCO and Museum Realities 11:21 What OIRF Does 11:34 Origins in 1960 13:45 Oldest House Becomes Mission 16:10 Programs and Signature Events 17:22 Oldest House Visitor Tips 19:46 Captain's Family and House Move 20:55 Cookhouse and Climate Design 22:24 Upgrades and Restoration Plans 25:01 Accessibility and Small Team 26:46 Funding and Home Tours 27:32 How the Tours Work 29:24 Schedule Pricing and Upgrades 31:12 Choosing Homes and Volunteers 33:05 Conch Shell Contest Origins 36:28 Why Preservation Matters 38:27 Ways to Support OIRF 41:28 Local Favorites QandA 44:00 Events Rentals and Admissions 46:52 Final Thanks and Wrap Up 49:41 Host Closing Message https://oirf.org/ www.funinkeywest.com
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    50 min
  • Pit Bulls in Paradise: Tony Soika on Key West Mysteries, Rescue Dogs, and Second Acts

    Pit Bulls in Paradise: Tony Soika on Key West Mysteries, Rescue Dogs, and Second Acts
    Mar 18 2026
    Pit Bulls in Paradise: Tony Soika on Key West Mysteries, Rescue Dogs, and Second Acts Host Michele O'Connor introduces the Fun in Key West Podcast and its Book Club episode featuring author Tony Soika, a retired U.S. Army officer with 30 years of service and extensive animal-rescue volunteering. Soika discusses his deep pull toward the Florida Keys since first visiting in 1999, his transition challenges after leaving the military, and how becoming a late-in-life father shaped him and influenced his writing. He explains how his novel Pit Bulls in Paradise (first in the Conch House Chronicles) follows retired officer John Tuttle in the Keys as he uncovers a dogfighting ring after pit bulls with fighting injuries arrive at a shelter, reflecting Soca's real-life rescue of a pit bull and his advocacy that "there are no bad dogs, only bad owners." 00:00 Welcome to Fun in Key West 01:26 Meet Tony Soika 04:09 Tony's Life and Dogs 05:03 Why the Keys Call You 07:31 Fatherhood and Inspiration 10:04 From Coaching to Novels 12:14 Why Pit Bulls in Paradise 13:43 Rescuing Honey Bear 16:26 Building John Tuttle 19:28 Veteran to Civilian Shift 21:38 Finding Identity in Key West 23:21 Dogs Feel Our Pain 25:00 Why Animal Cruelty Matters 27:33 Setting the Story in Key West 29:08 Making Key West Feel Real 30:30 John the Reluctant Hero 31:50 Next Book Afghanistan Thread 33:55 Key West Signings and Support 35:58 Rescue Dogs and Local Favorites 40:25 Book Heart and Real Cameos 44:06 Where to Follow and Final Wrap
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    46 min
  • Historic Marker Monday: How Cayo Hueso Became Key West

    Historic Marker Monday: How Cayo Hueso Became Key West
    Mar 14 2026
    Historic Marker Monday: How Cayo Hueso Became Key West Host Michele O'Connor introduces the Fun in Key West podcast and this Historic Marker Monday episode focused on the origin of Key West's name, highlighted by a historic marker near Mallory Square. She explains how the Taíno word "cayo" (small island) passed through Spanish usage and into English as "key," and how "hueso" (bone) made the original Spanish name Cayo Hueso translate to "Bone Island." Michele shares theories for the island's bones, including Native American conflicts, shipwreck victims from the "graveyard of the Atlantic," and fishbone piles, noting settlers found large bone piles in the 1820s. She describes how American mapmakers misheard and simplified the name into "Key West," mentions Spanish speakers still use Cayo Hueso, and promotes self-guided walking tours, a Key West book club reading Pit Bulls in Paradise with an upcoming author interview, and a forthcoming map of historic marker locations. 00:00 Welcome to Fun in Key West 01:27 Historic Marker Monday Begins 01:46 Why Key West Has Its Name 03:39 Mallory Square Marker Hunt 06:10 Cayo to Key Language Shift 07:36 Bone Island Theories 10:05 How Cayo Hueso Became Key West 10:51 Cultural Blend and Fun Facts 13:34 Tours Book Club and Marker Map 16:45 Final Wrap and Next Time
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    17 min